Rafael Nadal admits his French Open preparations have taken a hit after the 20-time grand slam champion was stunned by Alexander Zverev in a straight sets quarter-final defeat at the Madrid Open.
The Spaniard admitted his 6-4, 6-4 loss to Germany’s Zverev was a “step back” but insisted there were plenty of positives as he embarks on capturing a 14th Roland Garros title, later this month.
The World No.2 has now fallen early in two clay-court Masters tournaments ahead of the Grand Slam in Paris, after going out in the Monte Carlo quarter-finals last month before winning in Barcelona.
Zverev had never beaten the ‘King of Clay’ on his favoured surface, but the 24-year-old was particularly impressive in the stunning upset.
Nadal’s latest defeat on his favoured clay surface will surely serve as a blow to his quest for a record 21st grand slam singles title at the French Open – a tournament he’s won an astonishing 13 times.
For Zverev it’s now three straight wins against Nadal, with all three remarkably coming in straight sets.
Tennis world was understandably left gobsmacked the incredible turn of events.
